On Wednesday, June 18, the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, challenged the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to expand its operations in Mozambique’s health sector, complementing its existing projects in education and social development. The request was made during a visit to the Aga Khan Academy, located in Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo.
According to Lusa, after the visit, the head of state described the institution as an example of “excellence,” highlighting its potential to inspire similar projects in other regions of the country.
“We are already in discussions about the possibility of investments not only in education but also in health, which is essential for strengthening the social sector. Based on the work already done by the Aga Khan Foundation, we believe it is possible to expand investment into this area,” he said.
President Chapo also expressed the Government’s willingness to deepen dialogue with the AKDN to create more initiatives of this kind, both in quantity and quality.
“We are talking about projects in education, health, social assistance, and other areas crucial to national development,” he stated.
Regarding the Academy, the President highlighted it as a “well-structured investment” that should serve as a reference for both the private sector and public education.
“It is an experience that deserves to be replicated in other provinces, given the national need for access to quality education,” he added.
As of 2024, the Aga Khan Development Network operates in 30 countries, coordinating around 1,000 programs and institutions. It currently employs 96,000 people worldwide, including 1,700 in Mozambique, 95% of whom are nationals. The AKDN’s global annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately 1 billion USD (around 63 billion meticais). In Mozambique, the main focus areas include education, health, infrastructure, and industry, especially in Cabo Delgado province, under a cooperation agreement signed in 1998.
Aga Khan, the founder and then-president of the network and spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslims, passed away in Lisbon on February 4 this year, at the age of 88.
Source: Diário Económico
